A biweekly roundup of automotive news, good, bad and just plain weird:
Oregon man fined for using math
Engineer Mats Jarlstrom has a problem with red light cameras. In his view, the timing used to catch violators is incorrect, and doesn’t take into account people slowing for a left or right-hand turn. Speaking publicly on the matter, he used mathematics to show how the model was flawed. Then he got fined.
According to a weird law in Oregon, debating using mathematical methods is only for professional engineers. Another weird loophole means that only engineers licensed to practice in the state are allowed to call themselves professional engineers. You can be a trained engineer – Jarlstrom is an electrical engineer – and get fined for saying you are, unless you’re licensed in Oregon.
It’s a weird case, and not the first time something like this has happened. A retired engineer was fined in Oregon when he wrote to complain about his flooded basement. His letter said he was a professional engineer (accurate, even if retired), so instead of sending help, they fined him.
Oregon-related weirdness aside, I personally would welcome more red-light cameras, assuming they were properly calibrated. Whether it’s distracted drivers or an increase in traffic making everyone late, it seems like there’s been an increase in the number of red-light runners, which is dangerous for other drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians – basically everybody.
But you’d have to set them up right. You’d probably want to talk to an engineer.
Nissan Leaf takes on Mongolia
The U.K. to Mongolia rally is one of the most challenging long distance endurance races in the world.
I interviewed a couple of Canadian women who managed it in a Subaru Crosstrek a few years ago, but tackling it in an electric car?
Happily, the Mongolian rally isn’t a timed event, so the finishers just have to finish. Stopping for a charge isn’t a problem.
What is a problem is the rough terrain, so the team at Plug In Adventures has created the Leaf AT-EV, or all-terrain electric vehicle. It’s armoured underneath, and is lifted for better ground clearance. There’s a set of narrow, rally-spec tires, and auxiliary lighting to pierce the darkness.
Given that EVs are relatively simple, the team should have a pretty good shot of going without mechanical issue. If they can pull it off, it’ll be just one more example that the future really is electric.
Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance author dies
There aren’t too many books of philosophy based around motorcycles. However, Robert Pirsig’s Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance is a gem of a book, and required reading for gearheads and non-gearheads alike.
A semi-autobiographical tale that seeks to show that cold rationality and a romantic view of the world can live in harmony, Pirsig’s book took four years to write. It was published in 1974, and has sold some five million copies since.
In the book, Pirsig embarks on a 17-day road trip with his son. His motorcycle is a little older, but because he pays attention to it, he’s able to keep it running. This is contrasted with his co-rider, who simply hopes for the best, and doesn’t understand the mechanics. As the book progresses, the two viewpoints become one: it’s important to understand the details and mechanics of how something works, but that doesn’t diminish the magic of experience.
Pirsig died this week at the age of 88. It is important to celebrate a life well-lived, rather than to simply mourn it. It’s probably what he’d want you to do – that and get out there for a ride.
Civic Type R reclaims Nürburgring record
While Nürburgring times should always be taken with a grain of salt, it is at least worth taking a look at Honda’s latest accomplishment. Using a chassis lightly modified for safety – a roll-cage was installed – the new Civic Type-R managed to pull off a time of seven minutes and 43.8 seconds around the world’s largest racetrack.
That’s about as good as the Audi R8 V-10 managed, or about the same as the old Corvette Z06. In other words, for a front-wheel-drive car, it’s an excellent time.
And what does this all mean? Well, bragging rights for one. However, considering how wild the Type R looks, it’s going to have to put up some serious numbers to back up its huge spoiler and giant wheels.
In the view of most enthusiasts, front-wheel drive is a liability where speed is concerned. But the Type R’s performance looks like the real deal – I can’t wait to get my hands on one.
Watch this space for all the week’s best and worst of automotive news, or submit your own auto oddities to [email protected].
